Automatic music-sheet-registration mechanism for automatic musical instruments.



J. W. BARNES. AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET REGISTRATION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 12, 1912.

1,1 32,547. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

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. J. W. BARNES. AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET REGISTRATION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INETRUMENTS. APPLIUATION TILED APR. 12, 1912.

1,132,547. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

J. W. BARNES.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET REGISTRATION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.12, 1912.

1,1 32,547. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

f I I 5/ I. W. BARNES. AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET REGISTRATION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

ArrLmATIoN FILED APR. 12, 1912.

1,1 32,547. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

6 SHEBTH-SHEET 5.

R4 aMf/gmm.

' N /4 flfloung J. W. BARNES.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET REGISTRATION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

1,132,547. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA PB. 111111 z. Patented Mgm23, 1915- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. BARNES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T ESTEY PIANO COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC-SHEET-REGISTRATION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

Application filed April 12, 1912. Serial No. 690,449.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES W. BARNES, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and'useful Improvements in Automatic Music-Sheet-Registration Mechanism for Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to that class of automatic mechanisms for maintaining a perforated traveling music sheet in proper registration with a tracker bar having pneumatio ducts under the control of the perforated music sheet. The present improvements upon such registration mechanism consist more particularly, in render ng the registration controlling devices which 1mmediately cooperate with the music sheet manually adjustable so as to co-act with music sheets of varying widths; in minimizing the mechanical work done by the music sheet itself in effecting the opening and closwherein Figure 1, is a front view of so much of an automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments as is necessary for an understanding of the present improvements, portions being broken away and in section to aid in the understanding thereof. Fig. 2,

is a rear view of the same mechanism, por-- tions being likewise broken away and shown in section. Fig. 3, is a front view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, but illustrating the different parts in the position which they occupy dring rewinding, the same parts being shown in Fig. 1, in the position which they occupy during playing. Fig. 4, is an elevation of the pneumatic applia'nces which restore registration between the music sheet and tracker bar, partly in vertical section, and partly in the plane indicated by the lines 4-4, in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, are respectivel cross sections of the mechanism shown in ig. 4,

in the planes indicated by the several lines 55, 66, 77 and 8-8, in Fig. 4. Portions are broken away in Figs. 5, 7 and 8, to aid in understanding the construction.

Fig. 9, is a view illustrating various details of the mechanism which governs the registering or sheet shifting action of the music roll. Figs. 10 and 11, are diagrammatic views illustrating the mode of operation in effecting registration. Figs. 12, 13 and 14;, are detail views illustrating the mechanism which immediately cooper'tes with the music sheet. Figs. 12, 13 an 14, are drawn to a scale three times that of; Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9. F i 4 to 8, inclusive, are drawn to a scale larger than that of Fi s. 1, 2, 3 and 9, in the proportion of six to ve.

The drawings illustrate the improvements as applied to the mechanism of a player piano, that is to say, of a piano having incorporated within its construction the mechanism which automatically plays the piano under the control of a traveling perporated music sheet. The improvementsare applicable to the automatic playing of organs, to piano players, or to other like muslcal instruments.

The drawingsshow the improvements applied to a player piano mechanism of approved construction, which is controlled by a traveling perforated music sheet. The perforated music sheet A, is wound upon a music sheet roll B, adapted to be mounted in the player mechanism and its free end is at" tached in the usual manner to the take-up roll C, when music is to be played. In its passage from the roll B, to the take-up roll C, the music sheet passes over a tracker bar D, having pneumatic ducts a, with which the perforations b, of the music sheet register when the corresponding notes are to be sounded. The take-up roll C, is operatively connected in a customary manner with a spindle c, having a large gear 03, which is adapted to mesh with a sliding pinion e, splined to a rotary main drive shaft E, which is rotated when the player mechanism is in use in the customary manner. The sliding pinion e, is controlled by an operating member consisting of a pivoted lever F, which can be moved' at will by the user. When the operatin member F, is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the gear (1, and the pinion e, are in mesh and the take-up roll is slowly rotated to advance the music sheet downwardly across the tracker bar. l Vhen the operating member F, is swung to the position shown in Fig. 3, the pinion e, is disengaged from the gear d, so that the takeup. is no longer advanced; and, concurrently afriction brake f, is applied to one face of the gear (I, so as to prevent overrunning of the take-up roll duringrewinding. As the result of this same swing of the operating member F, (from the Fig. 1 to the Fig. 3, position), the spindle G, to which the music sheet roll B, is coupled, is operatively con nected with the main shaft E, so as to rotate rapidly in the opposite direction to the ad- Vance movement during playing so as to cause the music sheet to retrograde in its travel and to be rewpund on the music sheet roll. T 0 this end, the music sheet roll spindle, G, carries a sprocket wheel It, connected by a sprocket chain 2', to a sprocket wheel 7', which is loose on the main drive shaft E. The sprocket wheel 7', and the sliding pinion e, carry respectively interengaging pins k,

and Z, respectively, which are brought into engagement when the operating member F, is moved to the rewinding position shown in Fig. 3; and which are separated from each other when the operating member is moved to the playing position, as shown in Fig. 1. The music sheet roll spindle G, carries a brake drum m, which is engaged by a swinging friction "brake n, when the member F, occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, thus preventing overruning of the music roll; and this brake is removed from the brake drum by the improved action of the beveled end 0, of the member F, when said member is moved to the rewinding position shown in Fig. 3. In all of these respects the mechanism does not substantially differ from mechanisms heretofore known; and it is to such automatic playing mechanism that the improvements are shown as applied.

The primary object of the present invention is to maintain the music sheet in proper registration with the tracker bar and to instantaneously and automatically restore the registration in case it becomes lost through irregularity in the travel of the music sheet. To this end the music sheet roll spindle G, is slidingly mounted in its bearings so that it can be moved longitudinally, this sliding movement being permitted by the yieldingly and elastically mounted bearing H, at the opposite end of the music roll which is slidingly supported and spring pressed by the spring g, (in the customary manner), to facilitate theinsertion and removal of the music sheet roll B. This same yielding mountmg permits the longitudinal movement of the spindle G. lhe registering mechanism is of such character that if the music sheet wanders to the right in passing the tracker bar, the spind e (1,19 moved to the left to correct the departure of the music sheet from its true path; while if the music sheet wanders to the left, the spindle G, is moved to the right (the music roll sheet following it by reason of the spring g, acting upon the opposite bearing H), thereby restoring the music sheet to its true path. This laterally shifting or correcting movement of the music sheet roll and its spindle G, is effected by means of a single detector, I, which-is yieldingly held against one edge of the music sheet so as to follow the music sheet in its lateral wanderings, appropriate instrumentalities governed by said detector control; ling the longitudinal movement of the spindle G. i

The detector I, is fast upon a rod J Figs. 12, 13 and 14) which is mounted to-slide lengthwise in appropriate fixed guide'ravs 20, and in a direction at right angles to the normal travel of the music sheet. This rod J, has a screw-threaded section 21 (Fig. 14) upon which adjustably turns a milled collar K, which projects forwardly at its periphery through a slot 22, in the metal face of the tracker bar D, where its milled sur face is accessible for turning. By turning this collar K, a desirable adjustment is attainable as will presently be explained. Atthe rear of the tracker bar (as shown in Fig. 12) the rim of the collar K, is embraced by the forked endof a lever L, pivoted at 23, and having a weight 24, at its opposite end. This weighted lever acts upon the detector I (through the intervening collar K, and rod J), so as to lightly and yieldingly pressdzhe detector I, against the adjacent edge of the music sheet. Accordingly, the detector will follow after the music sheet in case itg'noves' laterally to the right (in Fig. 1) while the detector will be pressed to the left by the music sheet if the music sheet wanders laterally that way.

Such lateral movements of the detector I, are utilized to bring about the proper restoration of the true path of the music sheet with respect to the tracker bar by means of a single valve M, which controls two pneumatic ports 25, and 26, of pneumatic channels 27, and 28, which lead to appropriate pneumatic motors which are operatively' connected with the music sheet roll spindle so as to bring about the shifting or restoring movements thereof. The valve M, is a horizontally swinging lever pivoted at 29, back of the tracker bar (see Figs. 10, 11 and 12) and it has a fork 30, at its forward end, which embraces the rim of the collar K. This single slide valve is utilized to control the two ports 25, and 26, which are formed in a plate 31, over which the valve swings. The width of the valve is so proportioned with respect to the distance between the two ports 25, and 26, (as shown in Fig. 10) that both ports'are uncovered.

when the music sheet is traveling in its normal and correct path. The pneumatic system employed is an exhaust one and consequently there is no pneumatic pressure on the valve M, when it occupies its normal position shown in Fig. 10, thus minimizing the power required to move it. This is important' because the power which moves the valve is derived from the edge of the music sheet itself which is commonly of paper and hence not capable of'doing any sub stantial mechanical work, especially at its edge. In thisconnection, it will he noted that the detector I, is extended lengthwise of the edge of the music sheet so that it has an extended bearing upon that edge. thus avoiding any danger of tearing the paper,

of the music sheet.

The pneumatic motors controlled by the two ports 25, and 26, are normally in balance when'both ports are open. In case the music sheet deviates to the left, as indicated in Fig. 11, the port 25, is closed. the other port 26, remaining open, thus destroyingthe pneumatic balance of the motors, with the result that the music sheet roll is shifted in the proper direction to correct the error in the travel of the music sheet, as will be hereinafter explained. Before explaining these controlling devices, attention is called to the function of the adjustable milled collar K, on the sliding rod J, of the detector. Music sheets of the same gage frequently differ slightly in their widths and, accordingly, it is important that the registration mechanism should be adjustable to meet these varv ng widths. This is the purpose ofthe adustable collar K. Assume, for example, that a particular music sheet was so wide that, when placed in position, it should hold the detector I, near the position shown in Fig. 11, and with the port 25, closed. The collar K, could then be turned up on the screw-threaded section of the sliding rod J so as to swing the valve to its normal osition between the two ports 2:"), and 26, as in Fig. 10) without affecting the position of the detector I, with respect to the music sheet A. This provides an adjustment between the detector and the valve so that their relative positions may be adjusted at will to compensate for different widths in music sheets. Fixed stops it. t, on the rod J, at opposite sides of the collar K, (Figs 13 and 14) limit its range of movement and keep it connected with the section 21.

The ports 25, and 26, govern the action of two pneumatic motors N, and O, which are arranged, as shown in Fig. 4, with a single movable motor board between them and common to both, constituting a partition between the chambers of the two motors. Normally, the two motors N, and O, are

balanced so that the motor board P, occupies the central vertical position shown in Fig. 4. In case, however, one of the ports 25, or 26, is closed, the pneumatic balance on opposite sides of the motor board P, is destroyed and the board is swung in one direction or the other, depending upon which port is closed.

The interior of each motor N, or 0, communicates by a passage 32, with a vertical channel 33, governed by a gravit twin disk valve Q, which rests upon a exible diaphragm B. This channel 33, opens at its upper end to the atmosphere and at its lower end into a wind-chest S, which is in constant communication with the exhaust by channel 34, leading (directly or indirectly) to the exhaust motor of the player mechanism. This wind-chest S, is common to the gravity twin-disk valves of both motors N, and O. Beneath each diaphragm R, is a chamber 35, which is in direct communication with one of the channels 27 (or 28) leading to one of the ports 25 (or 26). Each channel 27 (or 23) communicates with the wind-chest S, by means of a bleed 36.

Fig. I. shows the movable parts in the positions which they occupy when the mechsaid diaphragms are exposed on their un- I der fzTces ,to atmospheric pressure through the open ports 25, and 26, and the communicating channels 27, and 28, said diaphragms are inflated and the gravity twin-disk valves Q, are raised, thus cutting off communication between the wind'chest and the passages 32, leading to the two pneumatic motors N, and t), and vent-ing said passages 32, to the atmosphere so that normally both motors. N, and 0, contain air at atmospheric pressure and the movable motor board or partition P, "occupies its central position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. During the normal action of the mechanism, air is constantly'sucked into the wind-chest S, through the bleeds 36, but as each of these bleeds is much smaller in area than the corresponding port 25, or 26, the air within each diaphragm chamber 35, remains at approximately atmospheric pressure, and hence at greater pressure than that in the wind-chest S, so that normally the gravity -twin-disk valves Q, are maintained uplifted. Should the music sheet now divert laterally in its path, (say to the left), thereby closing the port 25, as illustratcd in Fig. 11, air will no longer enter through the port 25, and consequently the air will be quickly exhausted from the corresponding diaphragm chamber 35, through the bleed 36, connecting it with the Windchest; and. consequently, the pressures on the opposite side of the corresponding diaphra m R, will be equalised and the correspon ing gravity twin-disk valve Q, will then drop, thus putting the corresponding passage 32, leading to the motor N, in communication with the wind-chest, with the result that the air within said motor N, is rarefied and the greater atmospheric pressure within the other motor 0, swings the movable board to the left, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Just the opposite result would obtain in case the music sheet should wander to the right of its true path. Hence, the closing of either port 25, or 26, results in the movement of the motor board or partition P, in one direction or the other from its middle balanced position; and that board is mechanically connected with the spindle G, of the music .sheet roll so as to shift that roll in the roper direction to compensate for the deviation of the music sheet from its true path. Before calling attention to these mechanical connections, attention is directed to some of the details of the motor construction.

The upper portions of the passages 32, communicating with the interior of the two motors N, and O, are formed in a block T, which is covered with appropriate flexible material 37, to render the motor chambers air-tight. This flexible material (there being double thickness thereof) constitutes the hinge for the lower end of the swinging motor board P, the weight of which is in part borne by felt cushions 50, occupying a portion only of the width of the channel 51. which is open at both ends to the atmosphere and which serves to vent the channels 32, when their valves Q, are uplifted. W'here the flexible material 37, crosses the passages 32, it is appropriately slit at 38, to permit the passage of air through said passages 32.

The movable motor board or partition P, is connected by a link 39, with a depending crank arm 40, of the horizontal rock shaft U, which extends lengthwise of the tracker and above the music roll B, to a point above the outer end of the music roll spindle G, being mounted in suitable fixed bearings. At this further end, the rock shaft has a depending crank arm 41, (see Fig. 2), which is connected at its lower end by a link 42, to a depending arm, 43, on a cam sleeve V, (see Figs. 3 and 9), which surrounds and turns on a stationary cylindrical drum W, through the center of which extends the music roll spindle G, this drum serving as the outer bearing for said spindle. This drum carries a cam roll 44, rotatively mounted thereon by a screw stud 45, and this cam roll occupies the cam slot 46, in the cam sleeve V, constituting an abutment for the cam to bear against. Consequently, as the rock shaft U, is rocked back and forth by the swing of the motor board P, the cam sleeve V, is rocked back and. forth on the stationary drum W, and is moved endwise in one direction or the other by the action of the cam roll 44, on the walls of the cam slot 46. At its outer end the cam sleeve V, has a screw-threaded boss 47, in line with the outer end of the music sheet roll spindle G, into which enters an adjustable pointed screw 48, which bears against the outerend of the spindle G, and is held in its adjusted position by the lock nut 49. The spindle G, is held pressed against the pointed end of this adjusting screw 48, by means of the spring g, of the yielding bearing H, at the other end of the music roll. When the cam sleeve V, moves inwardly, as from the position shown in Fig. 11, to that shown in Fig. 10, the spindle G, is moved positively to the left, thus carrying the music roll with it; while when the cam sleeve is moved in the opposite direction, the spring 9, causes the spindle G, to follow it. The adjustment of the screw 48, enables the relation between the rock shaft U, and the music sheet roll to be accurately determined.

The diagram Fig. 10, shows the parts occupying their normal positions. Fig. 11, shows diagrammatically the music sheet moved to the left, therebycovering the port 25, with the result that the movable motor board P, is swung forwardly, and the cam sleeve V, is moved to the right, thereby moving the music roll to the right, thereby shifting the music sheet laterally to its true path.

It is desirable that the registration mechanism should be inoperative during the rewinding of the music sheet on to the music roll. One reason for this is that, owing to the rapid travel of the music sheet in rewinding, it is important to avoid the friction of its edge on the registration detector I. To effect this purpose the operating member F, is operatively connected with the valve M, so as to swing said valve in the proper direction to move the detector I, entirely away from the path of the adjacent edge of the music sheet. The member F, has arearwardly projecting pin p, (Figs. 1 and 3), which extends into a grooved collar q, carried by a rod X, mounted to slide lengthwise in fixed bearings r. This rod X, near its farther end has fastened to it a tappet arm Y, shown in Fig. 12, which is adjacent the projecting tail-end s, of the valve M, but during the advance of the music sheet is entirely beyond the range of movement of said tail-end. When, however, the member F, is moved to the rewinding position, shown in Fig. 3, the rod X, is shifted lengthwise to the right so that its tappet arm Y, encounters the tail-end s, of the valve M, thus swinging the front end of the'lever L, to the left (in Fig. 11) thereby moving the detector I, to the left and entirely out of the path of the neighboring edge of the music sheet. When the member F, is'returned to playing position, as shown in Fig. 1, the rod X, and its tappet Y, are moved to the left where the tappet is again out of reach of the tail-end s, of the valve M.

I claim 1. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments, having, in combination, a music sheet roll carrying a perforated music sheet; a take-up roll for advancingsaid sheet; a tracker bar over which the perforated sheet travels; a detector bearing against one edge only of said sheet; a sliding rod on which said detector is mounted having a screw threaded section; a collar adjustable on said threaded section; a weighted lever operatively connected with said rod to cause said detector to bear yieldingly against the edge of the music sheet; a swinging slide valve controlling two pneu matic ports and connected with said adjustable collar, whereby adjustment of said 001- lar varies the relative position of said detector and valve; and pneumatically actuated mechanisms governed by said ports for laterally shifting said music sheet and tracker bar relatively to each other to bring them into correct register.

2. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments having, in combination, a music sheet roll carrying a perforated music sheet; a take-up roll for advancing said sheet; a tracker bar over which the perforated sheet travels; a detector yieldingly bearing against one edge of said sheet; a sliding rod on which said detector is mount ed having a screw threaded section; a collar adjustable on said threaded section; a'

valvecontrollihg two pneumatic ports and connected with said adjustable collar, whereby adjustment of said collar varies the relative position of said detector and valve; and pneumatically actuated mechanisms governed by said ports for laterally shifting said music sheet and tracker bar relatively to each other to bring them into correct register.

3. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments having, in combination, a music sheet roll carrying a perforated music sheet; a take-up roll for advancing the sheet; a tracker bar over which the sheet travels; a detector bearing against one edge of the sheet; a movable valve connected with said detector to move therewith; a port c-losable by, said valve and normally open when the music sheet is in register with the tracker bar; and pneumatically actuated mechanism governed by the closure of said port by said valve for laterally shifting said music sheet and tracker bar relatively to each other to bring them into correct register.

4. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments having, in combination,

a music sheet roll carrying a perforated music sheet; a lengthwise-moving rotatable spindle coupled to one end of said roll; a spring pressed bearing at the other end of said roll pressing said roll against sald spindle; a rocking cam sleeve having a camgroove; a cam roll on a stationary stud fit ting said cam groove; an adjustable screw carried by said cam sleeve and bearing against said spindle; and means governed by the lateral displacement of the music sheet during playing and connected with said cam sleeve to rock it both back and forth.

5. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments having, in combination, a music sheet roll carrylng a perforated music sheet; a lengthwise-moving rotatable spindle coupled to one end of said music roll; a spring pressing said roll against said 1 against one edge of said sheet; a slide rod upon which said detector is rigidly fastened, said slide rod having 'a screw-threaded section; a 'nut adjustably screwing on said screw-threaded section and having a milled head extending to the front of the tracker bar, where it is accessible for adjustment; a

valve controlling a pneumatic port and having a forked end embracing said milled head behind the tracker bar; and pneumatically actuated mechanisms governed by ,said port for laterally shifting said music sheet and tracker bar relatively to each other to bring them in correct register.

7. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments having, in combination, a music sheet roll carrying a perforated music sheet; a take-up roll for advancing said sheet; a tracker bar over which theperforated sheet travels; a detector bearing against one edge of said sheet; a slide rod upon which said" detector is rigidly fastened, said slide rod having a screw-threaded section; a nut adjustably screwing on said screw-threaded section and having a milled head extending to the front of the tracker bar, where it is accessible for adjustment; a

valve controlling a pneumatic and connected with said nut; and pneumatically actuated mechanisms governed by said port for later ally shifting said music sheet and tracker bar relatively to each other to bring them in correct register.

S. An automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments having, in combination, a music sheet roll carrying a perforated music sheet; a take-up roll for advancing said sheet; a tracker bar over which the perforated sheet travels; a 'detector bearing against one edge of said sheet; a slide rod upon-which said detector is rigidly fastened, said slide rod having a screw-threaded section; a nut adjustably screwing on said screw-threaded section; a valve controlling a pneumatic port and connected with said nut; and pneumatically actuated mechanisms governed by said port for laterally shifting said music sheet and tracker bar relatively to each other to bring them in correct register.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, JAMES W. BARNES.

Witnesses:

J. R. A. LANG, A. V. W. SUTEY.

copies 0! thin eaten; may be obtained (or ilve cents each, by nah-using the commiuinpr 0! Patent Washington, D. 0. 

